One of my biggest worries after losing Cricket was how Luke was going to be when left home alone. From the time we brought him home, he’s had siblings to keep him company. Many years ago, we had our beagle Kobi and Lab mix Maggie, and when Maggie died unexpectedly, Kobi completely freaked out the first time we left him home alone. Kobi ended up staying with our neighbors while we worked until we got Cricket to keep him company. That is no longer an option.
I wasn’t completely panicked, since I had left Luke home alone on more than one occasion when I had to bring Cricket to the vet. I left him with a Kong full of treats and peanut butter, and we were not gone long so he was OK. But I also worry that he knows things are different now.
While I am still mostly working from home, I do have go to the office to pick up work and spend a short time there. Initially, my times to be gone coincided with the Dadz being home, but eventually the day came where we both had to be gone. I try to keep my time away as short as possible while we see how he does.
I had a couple treat dispensing dog toys, Kongs* of different kinds in the drawer, but I knew I had more somewhere. When we had our two beagles and two golden retrievers, in the beginning they used to each get a Kong filled treat when we left for work. That was until the time Moses decided to steal Kobi’s (thankfully before I even got out the door), and a fight broke out. We ended up doing away with Kongs and each dog just got a crunchy treat when we left. With multiple dogs who sometimes fought over food and treats, we never used them that way again.
When Luke came to us as a puppy, while he was still in a crate, then a small room on his own, he always got a food dispensing toy of some sort to play with. For some reason, I just don’t love the traditional Kongs, maybe because it seems like the dogs could never get everything out of one, or because they’re harder to clean. We had a couple different types* though and they worked well with puppy Luke. One I knew he had outgrown, but the other I had used, and I also was sure we still had the original Kongs too.
I found them at the bottom of the toy box, and I had all of the originals!
I also found something else in there that I was even more excited about – a West Paw Qwizl*. If West Paw made a new Zogoflex toy, I would almost always bring one home (we sold them at the store we used to work at). A lot of them got played with initially but then Luke grew bored with them, and Cricket was mostly only interested in the balls. Therefore, the Qwizl was like brand new, and when I tossed it out of the box, Luke immediately grabbed it and started playing with it.
I love it because it’s much easier to clean than the other treat toys we’ve had, with just a long brush I can swish it right out. So far, Luke has been left with that and when I go out the door, he’s not even paying attention to me anymore. I’ve been gone probably a couple hours at the most, and though he seems maybe a little more wound up and excited when I get home, I think he’s been OK. There are no signs around the house that he’s stressing out. Hopefully by the end of the month when we’re supposed to go visit our grand-kids, I’ll be less worried about leaving him until my sister arrives to stay with him.
I’m going to try some of West Paw’s other treat dispensing toys too. I could have sworn I had the Tux, but couldn’t find it, so maybe I gave that one away. Luke is a tough chewer, so that’s a consideration too. Most Zogoflex toys have held up to our tough chewers, and I feel good about the fact that they are made in the USA and are eco-friendly.
Do you do something special to occupy your dog or dogs when you leave them home alone?
Well, here we go again with the email snafu…I just found this post through your tweet.
Anyway, glad Luke likes his “new” old toy, and that it keeps him busy while he’s home alone!! I have to check out some of those West Paw toys for Ducky. I think she’s been bored with Kong toy for a while now. Shadow’s like Cricket was – would rather have a ball. She “inherited” all of Callie’s stuffies, but she won’t touch them. She sniffs at them and walks away.
My new email notification system is all set up now, so there will hopefully be no more issues!!
Ducky might be ready to try something different, and this one might be perfect for her (there’s a smaller size too if needed). 🙂
These moments especially warm a mom’s heart. So glad Luke is adjusting to his new singleton status.
It would be so much work, because of all his issues, to try to add another dog right now. I’m just not up for it; and I’ve always felt he would be happy being the only (spoiled) child too. 🙂
Looks like Luke is holding up just fine! He seems able to amuse himself … at lest for awhile. Good job, dog momz!
Thanks! Even when I’m working at home, he amuses himself some of the time. The only time he has an issue is in the evenings after he has his supper. He always whines at me for attention at that time!
I’m glad you have found something that works for Luke, and he’s not too upset with you leaving. Right now, I just slip my guys a banana chip. But when Sampson was a puppy, he always got a stuffed Kong when I went out the door. It never fazed him when I left. 🙂
I’ve been looking for banana chips that are not sweetened. Do you just give them sweetened ones or have you found some that are unsweetened?
Our pack loves their kongs…as long as they are stuffed with peanut butter!
I want to try some other (homemade) fillings too, but peanut butter is definitely a favorite, and fine with Luke every time!
So glad to hear that so far Like seems to be ok when left alone, Jan. Great treat toys helping, nice!
He’s been a little manic when I get home, but he always has been to an extent anyway; it just seems a little more. Hopefully that will lessen in time.
Rye LOVES West Paw toys, but we haven’t tried this one. We do have a couple of the tuxes and the toppls (I think that’s what they’re called), but they really only seem to last the girls a while if I freeze them. The openings are so wide that if I just put in a little peanut butter, they lick it out before I can even get the lid back on the peanut butter! 🙂 I’m so glad that Luke has a great toy to keep him busy when you can’t be home with him.
The regular Kongs always seem too tough for Luke to get everything out of, and he loses interest (I’ll come home and have to help him get the rest of the stuff out). But I can see where the Tux and Toppls might be too open. This one might be just the right balance!
YAY! Your blog is back!!! We don’t have any West Paw products but we DO have KONGS!!!!!
Ha, it was probably just a fluke that you got the email this time, because Sue up above says she didn’t! But anyway, I have a new service now so hopefully it’s going to now work as it should (fingers crossed).
I don’t know what I’ll do when one of my boys is an “only child”. We usually even take them to the vet together. The only time they are separated is when Pierre gets groomed and Bentley gets his self-serve bath. LOL!
Those boys are definitely such close pals! ♥
I’m always looking for ways to get the cats exercise without me being involved. We tried one puzzle feeder. With how food motivated Bear is, I was sure it would be a hit. Not so much. But it does add something to the decor now that both cats refuse to use it!
Many of my pet items simply become decor! When we had four dogs, they were pretty self-sufficient and entertained each other (except for having to throw Cricket’s ball). Luke is definitely far more needy of attention, and even more so now that his sisters are gone.
I tried some treat games with Sam too, and she would do them – once. Just like with most of her toys; and I could never get her to play with me! She’d just look at me like I was a crazy lady while I waved a feather in her face. LOL
I have that orange west paw treat toy, the puppies loved it.
Oh, I bet they had some fun with that!
It sure looks like you are enjoying the treats and the dispenser Luke!
He’s such a happy boy when he finds something he likes!
Ruby is not much of a chewer but she does get stressed when we leave so maybe we should give this a try. Love that’s it is easy to clean!
It comes in two sizes, so a small one might be perfect for Ruby. Let me know if you try it!
We use the original Kongs. Sometimes frozen, sometimes not. It’s good that you found that WestPaw toy for Luke. You don’t want him to find something to amuse himself with. ; )
You’re right about that!! 🙂
I am glad you found something to amuse him 🙂
Thank you….me too! 🙂
Layla gets a chewy treat right before we leave the house. I’ve tried to get her interested in treat-dispensing toys, but she just doesn’t “get it.” Even when they’re packed with treats she completely ignores them.
Some dogs just don’t want to work for their food! Cricket never had any interest in long-lasting treats like bully sticks; I always figured she just thought they were too much work. 🙂